Talk DISD

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It’s playtime in Dallas ISD! Trustees pass daily recess requirement.

It’s playtime for elementary students in Dallas ISD after trustees on Thursday approved to make daily recess a requirement.

Students in prekindergarten through fifth grade will have at least 20 minutes of daily recess for the rest of the school year. The time length will increase to a minimum of 30 minutes next school year.

School staff also can’t ban students from recess as a form of discipline for minor offenses.

Audience members at the board meeting applauded and cheered after trustees approved the change, which was included with consent agenda items that required one vote.

Several students spoke, including six-year-old Madeline Ziehm.

“I get 15 minutes of recess, I want 100 minutes,” she told the board to a roomful of laughter.

About 78 percent of the district’s elementaries have offered daily recess, but most only provided 15 minutes or less, according to a survey by the district. Only 3 percent of schools had recess for 20 minutes or more, the survey found.

Trustee Dan Micciche brought the initial proposal to the board. He has cited studies that show recess improves social and emotional health and learning.

In other matters, trustees approved to issue $645 million in school building bonds. The bonds, which are expected to be bid Feb. 9, are part of a $1.6 billion bond measure passed by voters in November. The first round of construction projects are expected to begin in April.

Also at the meeting, a new policy that outlines the district’s goals and plans for early childhood education was approved by trustees.

The policy, pushed by trustee Miguel Solis, states in part that the district “shall offer prekindergarten to all eligible three and four year old children within the district.” A goal is to serve 100 percent of eligible families in DISD by the 2025-2026 school year.

Time for the ED's, cabinet members, and other executives staff to get back in the classroom for the next several weeks and fill the Summer School gap in teachers. After all, isn't that what happens in the corporate world: Leaders dig in and do the front lines work when needed, instead of complaining about the shortage. Oh, I forgot though, some of our leaders have never been in an inner city classroom, or better yet, may not even be certified to be in a classroom.

Can you say comedy of errors? When will this nightmare end. He's failed to properly demonstrate his learning by mastering his job. He's failed to provide a positive example for the entire district to follow. The district is in chaos. Send in the coast guard to save everyone on board. The captain must go down.

No communications chief can save Mike Miles from his mishaps. Jon Dahlander can't defend the shortage of summer school teachers. Geez, who wants to work in this environment of repression. Rebecca Rodriguez has proven worthless too. No PR firm will take Mike Miles public humiliation and blunders.

Mike Miles stop flattering yourself. What solid team are you talking about? Hear Mike Miles own description about his cabinet staring at 13:00. Three weeks later, they all left their posts. Mike Miles does not know his own people. How much more his mistakes will cost the taxpayers? Enough. BOT, cut your losses now. Admit it. You hired a lunatic. www.wfaa.com

Tthe Nego buring Jim crow's most lethal chapters was defeated with acts of civil disobedience. We can overcome mike miles. We overcame Bull Connor. Bullies exist in all races and one of ou greatest weapons is civil disobedience. Let's not clap. Let us sit as stoned-faced as possible. I am in.

It is hard to believe, MM wants to hold another all district meeting. After the circus that has gone on down at Ross Ave, he should be embarrassed and happy to have a job. I thought it would be like when Hinyhoser or I mean Hinajosa was here...after a couple of years he stopped having the back to school money wasters, due to low ratings and embarrassment.

I will obtain a copy of the 2020 Vision Plan...and figure out which strategies I must decipher. Then I will come at Convocation and make sure that the PPT is changed to employ the strategies that should be taken to transform DISD!

Sorry, have many more issues on the list for you to resolve, but until you start taking care of the people that pay your salary, you will end up changing your cabinet on a weekly basis. Obviously, your prior strategies have not worked and continue to fail. How much money have you wasted on all these people? Please stop this nonsense...and please show that you have some heart. Most qualified teacher candidates are not even considering DISD.

Hi Mike! Happy First Day of Summer to YOU!! Love your positive attitude. Now, why do you need a retreat to strategize next steps? You have done enough damage. Priorities should be as follows: 1. Build Credibility for Yourself by listening to public concerns. 2. Hold a forum to get feedback from parents and Teachers, not just the ones you want to hear from. 3. Your Assistant Sups should be responsive. (i.e. left a message for one to call me regarding my daughter, never heard back). 4. Hire principals with experience, not just novice people to lead these low performing high schools.

I have a question for DMN people why did sunset get a princely who is friends with the ED? Did Tovar get forced out to bring in this Dr. Luz Martinez? Could you look Into this, I know DISD is known for nepotism but please check, she is coming out of West OSO ISD which if what I found has fewer students in the ISD then Sunset has students. Thank you

@sunshine- the only problem with what you are saying is Miles is not putting the most qualified principals in positions. He is putting fellows with no administrative experience at all. They are young and naive and the only thing they have going for them is they have been well indoctrinated in the lo and dol experience and they are eager. What happened to the concept of allowing the schools to have a say in their principal choice?

To Joe Clark: Most of the principalship positions were based on who you knew, so, yes, it has been political, especially prior to Mr. Miles' arrival. Give the superintendent a chance to place the most qualified individuals as campus administrators. Let's give it a try and be open to change.

MS. JENNIFERI know that Miles is paying someone to tweet for him, just like he paid someone to complete his online certification course. Taxpayers this little short man’s syndrome, army ranger is a FRAUD!

Also, WW Feeder...We acknowledge that you are looking at prior data, not current data...Next year's seniors will be the first cohort to have gone through the four years of the academies. Please be happy that something is working for us.

To WW Feeder: I don't think you are understanding the data. The data shows that the students made gains academically. The high school redesign's intent was to provide quality education and rigorous standards for all Woodrow students. Yes, regardless of the leadership, Woodrow will be successful. Principals come and go, but the structures are in place to make sure that Woodrow stays the course. This was not a one year fix...It took since 2008 to make it happen. So please, if you do not like being in the feeder, then you can choose to another school.